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Mission To Mars [2000]


RRP: £19.99
Our Price: £3.65 (subject to change)

Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

If Brian De Palma directed Mission to Mars for 10-year-olds who have never seen a science fiction film, he can be credited for crafting a marginally successful adventure. Isolated moments in this film serve the highest purpose of its genre, inspiring a sense of wonder and awe in the context of a fascinating future (specifically, the year 2020). But because most of us have seen a lot of science fiction films, it's impossible to ignore this one's derivative plot, cardboard characters and drearily dumb dialogue. Despite an awesome and painstakingly authentic display of cool technology and dazzling special effects, Mission to Mars is light years away from 2001: A Space Odyssey on the scale of human intelligence.

After dispensing with a few space-jockey clichés, the movie focuses on a Mars-bound rescue mission commanded by Jim McConnell (Gary Sinise), whose team (Tim Robbins, Connie Nielsen, Jerry O'Connell) has been sent to retrieve the sole survivor (Don Cheadle) of a tragic Mars landing. During the sequence en route to Mars, De Palma is in his element with two suspenseful scenes (including a dramatic--albeit somewhat silly--space walk) that are technically impressive. But when this Mission gets to Mars, the movie grows increasingly unconvincing, finally arriving at an alien encounter that more closely resembles an astronomical CGI video game. But this is a $75 million Hollywood movie, and no amount of technical wizardry can lift the burden of a juvenile screenplay. Kudos to Sinise, his co-stars, and the special effects wizards for making the most of hoary material; shame on just about everyone else involved. --Jeff Shannon, Amazon.com

Editorial
Video Description

DVD Special Features (TO BE CONFIRMED):

Theatrical trailer(s)
Audio Commentary Animatics to Scene Comparison
Documentary "Visions of Mars"
Visual Effects Analysis Production
Art Gallery
DVD-ROM Features
Widescreen anamorphic format

Editorial
Synopsis

In 2020, a group of astronauts headed by Luke Graham (Don Cheadle) set out to be the first humans on Mars. After they've landed, they investigate a strange noise near an unusual rock formation, and an unpredicted storm conjures up a living tunnel of sand that wipes out everyone except Graham. His pals back on a space station near Earth spring to his rescue despite the concern of their stodgy Russian captain (Peter Outerbridge) that in the year it will take to reach him, Graham will likely die. Nonetheless, they have to try it. Manning the spacecraft is Jim McConnell (Gary Sinise), a shaky but brilliant space cadet mourning the death of his wife (Kim Delaney); newcomer Phil (Jerry O'Connell); and married astronauts Woody (Tim Robbins) and Terri (Connie Nielsen). After various catastrophic setbacks, they make it to Mars in time to discover some shocking secrets, including the very origin of life in the universe. Highlighted by staggering special effects, this ambitious Brian De Palma film straddles the void between Kubrick's 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY and Cameron's THE ABYSS, with imaginative results. The music is by Ennio Morricone.

The only film I have ever taken out of the DVD player and thrown away
Review date: 2008-08-31 Rating: 2 out of 10

This film was so spectaculary bad I took it out of the DVD player and snapped it.

Absolutely awful, and up to now, the worst film I have ever seen.


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Reviews


Worst movies ever #5
Review date: 2008-08-13 Rating: 2 out of 10

This is quite boring, and the CGI is quite rubbish, the acting isn't much better either! The ending is silly, avoid this film if you like sci-fi films.

Give this film a break !!
Review date: 2007-11-14 Rating: 10 out of 10

The reason that many people feel let down by the ending is that de palma unlike many other hollywood directors does what he likes and thankfully didnt create a typical happy ending, its meant to be sad and it works 100%. This film is visually stunning and the cast is excellent, maybe i do agree with some comments on first viewing, but on the second possibly third viewing i could see this film was a classic. If you are a brian de palma, rather than a typical sci-fi fan, buy now.

Void of violence and full of hope.
Review date: 2007-07-06 Rating: 10 out of 10

Not sure why people are trying to burn this movie as it's actually pretty good. The CGI is good the acting is fine and the story, although overly simplistic at times, is well paced with enough happening to keep the viewer interested without being overblown. I'm one of the poor suckers that bought "Serenity" which must go down in history as one of most hyped movies ever. I would gladly swop my copy of "Serenity" for a copy of "Mission to Mars".

Even though I agree that this film isn't another "2001 A Space Odyssey" it's in many ways more fun because of it's easy going style. In my DVD collection I would put this film next to "The Day After Tomorrow" as it's the kind of film that I could watch again and again.

The bottom line is that this is a good wholesome family movie void of violence and full of hope.

Lost In Space
Review date: 2007-07-01 Rating: 2 out of 10

Who on earth ever gave this appalling film the go-ahead? It's simply dreadful. Starting with an "Aw shucks, I love you guys" pre-flight astronaut barbecue (!), it continues improbably and sentimentally to Mars via lousy dialogue, wooden plotting and a gushing music soundtrack. I can't believe that any of the actors actually read the script before agreeing to do it, but at least Tim Robbins' character has the presence of mind to take his helmet off and die, presumably after realising what a turkey he's appearing in. The ending is simply ludicrous - a cross between ET, Close Encounters and 2001, with none of the dubious charms of any of those films, although it did make me laugh out loud for several minutes.

This is one of those rare films - a complete stinker with virtually no saving graces at all - but I'd like a copy just to ridicule from time to time. It would get a negative star rating if that were possible.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Don Cheadle
Tim Robbins
Jerry O'Connell
Connie Nielsen
Gary Sinise

Creators:
Gary Sinise (Primary Contributor)
Tim Robbins (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Touchstone Home Video
Manufacturer: Touchstone Home Video
EAN: 5017188881517
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Dubbed, PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2005-08-01
Number of discs: 1
Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Region code: 2
Running time: 109 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2000-03-10
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: Italian (Subtitled)
Language: Italian (Dubbed)

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